Noise Abatement Strategies: The Critical Questions

1. Noise Abatement Strategies:The Critical Questions • Which runway use provides the most noise reduction north of the airport? • east preference (current) • west preference • no preference • day/night split • Which runway use provides the most noise reduction south of the airport? • mixed divergence off west runway (current) • all diverge • no divergence (except simultaneous ops) • resolve Fort Knox restricted area issue • How can we minimize exceptions to contraflow operations, thus minimize sleep disturbance? • options • operations affected/cost • benefits • How can we improve the consistency and predictability of runway use direction? • education/knowledge base • too hard for model

2. Noise Abatement Strategies:The Critical Questions • Which turning rules give the “best” results? • noise exposure • consistency/predictability • alone/with standard prescribed tracks • What prescribed tracks give the best noise reduction, while remaining operationally sound? • for arrivals • for departures • with/without exceptions for visual • handoff/gateway points • What navigation aids or standards can be applied to minimize deviation from prescribed tracks? • required navigational performance (RNP) • specific hardware/procedures • for emerging technology, knowledge base • What other operational procedures can be added to reduce noise exposure? • costs • benefits • What other facilities, use restrictions, regulations, and management measures can be applied to enhance the program?

3. Noise Abatement Strategies:Bear Traps • Imprecision • “daytime contraflow” • “I-65 corridor” • “straight-out departure track” • Premature Closure • advanced technology • contraflow exceptions • runway use criteria • net assessment • Terminology • “preference/preferential use” • “peak/non-peak” • “voluntary measure” • Meaningful progress depends on our ability to avoid these traps. If we don’t, we get stuck.

4. Noise Abatement Strategies:Imperatives • Precise definition of each strategy • measures included • measures excluded • rationale • follow-up documentation • Close - intimate - communication on analysis • Study Group checks inputs • emerging insights relayed right away • anomalies identified for further study • course corrections when appropriate • Open-ended review of results • think before packaging • challenge assumptions, conclusions • ongoing feedback • Results of this phase crucial to study results. “Oops” no longer affordable.

5. Noise Abatement Strategiesrecommended to the Study Group • Common elements • minimize contraflow exceptions • noise-optimal prescribed tracks (STARs, SIDs) with minimal exceptions • RNP or hardware specs to minimize deviation • operational measures (potential excursions) • facilities, use restrictions, regulations, management measures • document knowledge of ‘emerging’ measures • Principal alternatives • Limit east runway preference to daytime only; southbound divergence according to destination • Eliminate runway preference; all southbound diverge on 17R • Reverse runway preference; no divergence on 17R, except simultaneous operations • Key conditions: • Ft Knox issue resolved favorably • Results for each major lobe of noise contours